EDDIE CLAYTON
The liner notes for the Wonderwall Music album were a mess, and George Harrison was not originally credited with performing any of the music, leading many to think that he merely oversaw the album; actually, in addition to arranging the music, Harrison played electric and acoustic guitar, piano, and Mellotron. Other musicians on the album include Eric Clapton on electric guitar – credited as “Eddie Clayton” – Harrison’s bandmate Ringo Starr on drums, and Peter Tork of the Monkees who plays banjo (!). In 1969, George Harrison collaborated with Eric Clapton in writing perhaps my very favorite song by Cream, “Badge”.
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While working as a machinist in a local factory, Richard Starkey befriended Roy Trafford, who introduced him to skiffle music. The two began practicing together and were joined by another co-worker Eddie Miles, forming the Eddie Miles Band that was later renamed Eddie Clayton and the Clayton Squares. (Interestingly, Eric Clapton took the pseudonym “Eddie Clayton” in his credits for Wonderwall Music, perhaps from this connection).
(September 2014)
